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Monday, May 7, 2012

Bhindi Do Pyaaza

Away from the scorching heat of Chennai, Bangalore feels like
heaven to me. While in Chennai, I just prepared some usual fare of rice and vegetables
and would try to come out of the kitchen as soon as possible. I am not at all a
rice person, given an option I would definitely go for roti subzi. But due to
the heat in Chennai, I did not venture into making rotis. Now that I am in
Bangalore, and the weather here is so much better than that of Chennai, decided
to make some hot rotis and subzi.

Having decided that roti, it was for lunch, finalizing a
subzi is not an easy job. While rummaging through my mom’s refrigerator, I
found a bag of fresh Okra/Lady’s Finger/Bhindi. Now this particular veggie is a
favorite with my kids. So decided to make this tasty restaurant style dish –
Bhindi Do Pyaaza.

Bhindi Do Pyaaza is a dry preparation, of crisp stir fried
okra with spicy and tangy semi dry gravy of onions and tomatoes. The addition
of the spice powder gives it a wonderful flavor and aroma. Tastes best when
served with some hot phulkas and pickle.

Serves – 4 to 5

What you’ll need

Lady’s Finger/Okra – 500 gms

Onion – 2 Big, thinly sliced

Onion – 1 Medium, cut into big chunks

Tomato – 4 Medium, finely chopped

Turmeric Powder – ½ tsp

Chilly Powder – 1 tsp

Salt to taste

Cumin Seeds – 1 tsp

Oil – 2 tbsp

For the Spice Powder

Fennel Seeds/ Saunf – 2 tsp

Coriander Seeds – 1 tbsp

Cumin Seeds – 1 tsp

Method

Powder the ingredients for the spice powder and keep aside.

Wash and wipe the lady’s finger. Cut into 1 inch pieces.

Heat a Kadai with oil. Add the Lady’s finger cover and cook
on medium flame for about 10 minutes or till the vegetable is cooked.

Remove lid, add salt and fry for another 4 to 5 minutes or
till the lady’s finger turns crisp. Transfer these into another vessel and keep
aside.

Heat another kadai with oil. Add cumin seeds, once the color
changes add sliced onions and the onion chunks and turmeric powder. Fry till
the onions are light brown.

Next add the finely chopped tomatoes and fry till the
tomatoes turn completely mushy and the raw smell disappears.

Now add the chilly powder and salt. Mix well.

Add the fried lady’s finger pieces and mix well.

Finally add the spice powder and give a good mix taking care
not to break the lady’s finger pieces. Fry for a minute. Remove from heat.

That’s it, yummy and delicious Bhindi Do Pyaaza is ready.
Serve as an accompaniment with rotis.